Build the perfect survival kit for any hike by following these simple principles. You can buy a survival kit at the store, but the downside is that you don’t get to pick what goes into it. One minute you’re enjoying the sunset, and the next you’re nursing a broken ankle in the dark, with miles […]

The secret to a good night in the wilderness? The right bag for the job. A good bag makes all the difference. This is so much better than hypothermia. That’s what went through my mind before I nodded off to sleep on a 25°F March night on Mt. San Jacinto in California, 16 years ago. […]

Trying to prevent forest fires with more logging may only make them worse, fire ecologists say. Will the federal government listen? The 2018 Woolsey Fire burns a hillside in California. Fire ecologist Chad Hanson is standing knee-deep in downed trees and charred stumps when he spots what he’s been searching for: a pine sapling. He’s […]

Glide through the backcountry with these time-tested picks for cross-country skiing. Jackson Lake, Grand Teton National Park If cross-country skiing makes you think of kicking lazy laps across your local golf course, it’s time to change your image of the sport. With thicker skis and beefier bindings, today’s backcountry nordic gear is capable of handling […]

Get a new perspective on an iconic view when you look through Canyonlands National Park’s famous Mesa Arch in winter. Photo by Daniel Fleischhacker (@daniel_fleischhacker) Trail Facts Distance: .7 mile (loop) Time: 30 minutes Difficulty: 1 out of 5 Summary Spring and fall are considered prime time in this desert park, but if solitude is […]

Whether you’re walking thousands of miles or just a few, every ounce counts. Keep your pack weight down with this seven-step process from expert thru-hiker Liz “Snorkel” Thomas. 1. Organize your gear into piles. If, like many hikers, you have multiple backpacks, you’ll want the lightest model that will meet your needs. It’s OK to […]

How to find the right camp for your kids—and how to know if they’re ready. Photo courtesy of the American Camp Association. I was a camp kid. At the end of my sixth grade year, I spent a month away at Gold Arrow Camp in the Sierras. I did a lot of things I’d never […]